Koo Yoon-chul: "No Further Suspension of Capital Gains Tax Surcharge for Multiple Homeowners... Tax Adjustments Needed for Speculative Housing"

Eight Months of the Lee Administration:
"Restoring Momentum for a Collapsed Economy"
Citing Polarization as the Reason
Why the Public Does Not Feel the Economic Recovery
"Boldly Restructuring Insolvent Companies
to Advance the Capital Market"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-chul assessed that, with eight months approaching since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration on January 29, "it has been a period during which we restored a collapsed economy and created momentum for renewed growth."

On this day, during an appearance on MBC Radio's 'Kwon Soonpyo's News High Kick,' Deputy Prime Minister Koo stated, "Due to the effects of martial law and other factors, the economy contracted in the first quarter of last year, but after the administration took office, improved sentiment and the impact of the supplementary budget reversed the economic trend." He added, "Achieving 700 billion dollars in exports and the KOSPI reaching an all-time high are symbolic results of these efforts."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-chul is speaking at the Expanded Macroeconomic and Financial Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on January 29, 2026. Photo by Cho Yongjun

Regarding this year's economic outlook, he remarked, "The semiconductor market has been performing better than expected recently, so it seems we can achieve a 2% growth rate." He continued, "On top of that, we will strive to implement efficient economic policies and boost productivity through technological innovation."

However, in response to the observation that the public does not yet feel the effects of the economic recovery, he cited polarization as the underlying reason. Deputy Prime Minister Koo explained, "It is true that the perceived economy lags behind the indicators due to widening asset gaps, disparities between large and small companies, and a decline in youth employment." He added, "We will carefully address sectors that have been left behind, outside of major growth industries like semiconductors and automobiles, so that everyone can share in the fruits of growth."

On this day, President Lee compared the domestic stock market to a department store and expressed his determination to advance the capital market by weeding out insolvent companies. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Koo said, "Starting this year, we will expand delisting requirements and boldly remove underperforming companies from the market." He added, "At the same time, for companies with technological capabilities, we will expand special technology listings and pursue a 'carrot and stick' approach."

Regarding President Lee's firm stance on ending the temporary suspension of the capital gains tax surcharge for owners of multiple homes, Deputy Prime Minister Koo said, "Continuously extending the suspension as a matter of practice has indeed reduced the effectiveness of the policy," and made it clear, "This time, we plan to end it." He added, "We will listen to a wide range of public opinions to minimize any inconvenience to the public during implementation."

Regarding the proposal by some experts to strengthen property holding taxes, he said, "We recognize that rational adjustments are needed for speculative housing and similar cases in order to address distortions in resource allocation concentrated in real estate." He continued, "We will listen thoroughly to public opinion and review the matter with an open mind."

On this day, the government announced plans to supply 60,000 housing units in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Yongsan, Gwacheon, and Seongnam. Deputy Prime Minister Koo explained, "60,000 units are twice the size of the Pangyo New Town, so it is a significant supply," but added, "This does not mean it is sufficient, so we will continue to seek out attractive housing sites going forward."